Guitar thru a Computer

[Guitpicky]

I have a laptop that basically runs my entertainment system in my living room. I've got a decent external audio card with mic, optical and line inputs between the computer and audio system.

What would I need or have to do to run my guitar thru it?

I initially bought a decent small tube amp (Orange Rocker 15) and as a living room warrior I'm pretty happy with it. Especially now that I've built a pedalboard to play with.

I just wanted to know if I can run it thru my laptop and what that would entail. I'm thinking with the right software it would be like also having a modeling amp only better as I have a great vintage stereo and speakers.

My thought is that it might be cheaper and better to go this route than getting a modeling amp to compliment my tube amp, but at this point I'm still pretty stupid about how to do go about it.

I'm sure Les and a few others here could probably do it in five minutes but I'm a greenhorn

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

What kind of computer?

I use my MacBook Pro & Apogee Gio pedal through MainStage 3 when I play both at home or out.

 

[elvis]

Lots of recording programs with amp impulse responses (IR) available.

 

[goat-n-gitter]

Helix Native is an awesome all in one guitar FX/amp sim environment that will run on any VST DAW software.

 

[László]

Your audio card will of course have to have an instrument level input, which is different from a mic or line level input (and in fact, there are two types of line level inputs, which is interesting but not relevant to your question).

If your card lacks an instrument level input, you can use a simple and inexpensive direct box with either the line or mic level.

Then you’ll just need some software, of which there are fifty quintillion bazillion amp modeling types. Personally, I dislike amp modelers, including software, but given that, I’m semi-impressed with the Waves PRS amp models, the Scuffham amp models, Native Instruments Guitar Rig, and one of the Universal Audio UAD Fender models is terrific (requires Universal Audio UAD external processors).

I’ve also got licenses for about fifteen more modeling software amps, but they’re more meh than the ones I mentioned.

I haven’t tried the Helix native software, might be worth a test download.

I get far more acceptable “it’s not a miked-up amp” results by plugging my real amps into a Mesa load box, and then using impulse response software to augment the sound the load box puts out, and there are actually more sophisticated load boxes that have come out since I got the Mesa, though they’re more money.

 

[elvis]

I use the torpedo live with mesa IR. I love it.

 

[Guitpicky]

Thanks you guys. Hardware and physical connections are the main question. I'm using a PC, current model Asus gaming laptop with Windows 10. As the hub of my entertainment system I kind of have it hooked into everything. The audio card is a Creative Labs audiophile model with a 1/4" mic input, RCA line input and an optical input.

How do I know if an input is instrument level?

A little more help on the direct box thing? Sorry Les but I don't know what that is.

What about going thru my pedal board instead of straight in from the guitar?

 

[elvis]

Usually level is specified in dB. Often you'll have +4 or -10 listed. Otherwise it might be called Mic or line level. -10dB would be ascot instrument level. Mic is useable. The difference between instrument and line levels is essentially the difference between the signal your guitar sends into a preamp vs. the signal out of the guitar preamp, which would be boosted about 10x.

A direct box has 1/4" TS (guitar cable) input and XLR out. It converts single ended instrument level in to balanced Mic level out. If your computer card has XLR in, a direct box is perfect to convert your guitar connector and level to match.

You can go through your pedal board, but that will be instrument level in AND out, unless you turn up the output level on one or more effects boxes to raise the level. A boost or overdrive pedal would be capable of this.

 

[Guitpicky]

No XLR on my audio card but that's one of the things I'm trying to find out, whether or not I need a pro audio card.

Any recommendations?

 

[László]

Thanks you guys. Hardware and physical connections are the main question. I'm using a PC, current model Asus gaming laptop with Windows 10. As the hub of my entertainment system I kind of have it hooked into everything. The audio card is a Creative Labs audiophile model with a 1/4" mic input, RCA line input and an optical input.

How do I know if an input is instrument level?

A little more help on the direct box thing? Sorry Les but I don't know what that is.

What about going thru my pedal board instead of straight in from the guitar?

Actually, for starters, for music it’s not really the right type of audio card. So there’s that. There are recording interfaces designed for what you want to do. A zillion on the market.

An instrument level input would be a 1/4” jack and it would probably be labeled “instrument input” or identified as such in a manual. You don’t have one.

Mic inputs usually aren’t 1/4”, but I suppose maybe it could be TRS. Check your manual. Every product is different and I suppose it’s possible. If it’s a mic input, you’ll still need a direct box. What’s a direct box? Dude, the internet is your friend...

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/di-boxes/

RCA is not instrument input, it’ll be consumer line level, -10dBv, designed for things like CD players, etc. There’s also a different line level called +4 dBu, which is pro level, and those are either TRS or XLR jacks.

Going through your pedalboard is the same as going straight in, it’d be instrument level from the 1/4 inch outputs, unless you have a digital pedalboard with multiple types out outputs like, say, a Line 6 Helix, etc. The helix and similar digital boxes sometimes have optical outputs. If you have that, it’d work most likely - assuming you can get the boxes talking to one another digitally, which can be hit or miss with consumer equipment like your audio card.

So, yes, you can get your guitar into your computer and putz around with it, and so on, and you’ll need to buy more stuff. I give you permission to shop for a nice audio interface with the correct types of input and output levels, etc. Get out your wallet!

Or...

Just play through the damn amp, which sounds best anyway!

 

[pac90]

Take a free trial of Helix native, and a free trial of a daw to host it, to check it out?

Line6 just changed policy to give native for $99 if you have any HX product, it used to be 4x cost unless you have bought their pricier products. The HX Stomp is a great pedal format 'mini helix' which among other things is a great audio interface, which will integrate with your board/pc or standalone, and do everything you want. You would only actually need the software if you 'run out of room' on the stomp.

 

[Guitpicky]

Actually, for starters, for music it’s not really the right type of audio card. So there’s that. There are recording interfaces designed for what you want to do. A zillion on the market.

An instrument level input would be a 1/4” jack and it would probably be labeled “instrument input” or identified as such in a manual. You don’t have one.

Mic inputs usually aren’t 1/4”, but I suppose maybe it could be TRS. Check your manual. Every product is different and I suppose it’s possible. If it’s a mic input, you’ll still need a direct box. What’s a direct box? Dude, the internet is your friend...

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/di-boxes/

RCA is not instrument input, it’ll be consumer line level, -10dBv, designed for things like CD players, etc. There’s also a different line level called +4 dBu, which is pro level, and those are either TRS or XLR jacks.

Going through your pedalboard is the same as going straight in, it’d be instrument level from the 1/4 inch outputs, unless you have a digital pedalboard with multiple types out outputs like, say, a Line 6 Helix, etc. The helix and similar digital boxes sometimes have optical outputs. If you have that, it’d work most likely - assuming you can get the boxes talking to one another digitally, which can be hit or miss with consumer equipment like your audio card.

So, yes, you can get your guitar into your computer and putz around with it, and so on, and you’ll need to buy more stuff. I give you permission to shop for a nice audio interface with the correct types of input and output levels, etc. Get out your wallet!

Or...

Just play through the damn amp, which sounds best anyway!

What's the internet?

I like to experiment, it's how I learn new ****. If I wasn't that way I wouldn't even have a guitar or a reason to bother you with questions. Without greenhorns like me asking "stupid" questions you'd be back to one word replies to threads made up just because the residents are bored

 

[Guitpicky]

Take a free trial of Helix native, and a free trial of a daw to host it, to check it out?

Line6 just changed policy to give native for $99 if you have any HX product, it used to be 4x cost unless you have bought their pricier products. The HX Stomp is a great pedal format 'mini helix' which among other things is a great audio interface, which will integrate with your board/pc or standalone, and do everything you want. You would only actually need the software if you 'run out of room' on the stomp.

Thank you, I'll check it out

 

[László]

What's the internet?

I like to experiment, it's how I learn new ****. If I wasn't that way I wouldn't even have a guitar or a reason to bother you with questions. Without greenhorns like me asking "stupid" questions you'd be back to one word replies to threads made up just because the residents are bored

Absolutely, and no one’s saying you asked a dumb question. I just like being a smartass.

I don’t know anything about computer games and that kind of thing. If I wanted to get into that, I’d ask questions and folks might think I just got off the time travel boat from another galaxy.

FYI, downloading software won’t do you any good unless you can get your guitar signal into your computer. I’m kinda thinking yours won’t do well with that, but again, check your manual for that info.

Considering the price of a direct box, something like a $149 Focusrite Scarlett that has connectivity designed for musical instruments in the first place might be a good type of thing to look at, and there are many others on the market as well.

With that kind of audio interface, you won’t need a direct box, and moreover, you can also record your guitar amps, vocals and what-have-you with a mic if that suits you.

 

[elvis]

I like the apogee duet.

 

[Guitpicky]

Absolutely, and no one’s saying you asked a dumb question. I just like being a smartass.

I don’t know anything about computer games and that kind of thing. If I wanted to get into that, I’d ask questions and folks might think I just got off the time travel boat from another galaxy.

FYI, downloading software won’t do you any good unless you can get your guitar signal into your computer. I’m kinda thinking yours won’t do well with that, but again, check your manual for that info.

Considering the price of a direct box, something like a $149 Focusrite Scarlett that has connectivity designed for musical instruments in the first place might be a good type of thing to look at, and there are many others on the market as well.

With that kind of audio interface, you won’t need a direct box, and moreover, you can also record your guitar amps, vocals and what-have-you with a mic if that suits you.

That's what I was trying to get at Les, how to get the signal into my laptop. Unfortunately words aren't my first language.

At the same time I was asking questions here I had 5 other pages open searching in other directions. I'm pretty sure all I need is a USB audio interface. I can do that for like 20 bucks or spend a little more for an entry level pro-audio card like the one you suggested.

Right now I'm looking at the 1x2 and 2x2 offerings on Reverb to find the best bang for the buck. A lot of them come with software. It's probably a lite or basic version but that's all I really need until it's not enough.

I checked your link and it did seem like kind of a legacy thing so I went to Reverb and searched for USB Audio Interfaces. I have an old Echo Layla I bought back around 2001 but it needs a pci slot. The only way to connect to my laptop is thru USB.

Since my only reason for doing it is to hear what my guitar sounds like thru a vintage stereo, I was hoping to get by with what I had if it was adequate, and get recommendations if it wasn't.

Thanks Les

 

[Guitpicky]

I like the apogee duet.

Looks nice but 600 bucks worth of overkill for this particular experiment

 

[László]

I like the apogee duet.

It’s very good, as is the Universal Audio Twin, which lets you use UAD plugins (if that’s your thing, they sound great because most are up-sampled by the chips, I’m told, though I have no idea how that works).

 

[CandidPicker]

Les is correct.

To put signal from your effects board (or mic'd amp) into your computer, GP will need some type of audio interface. Preferably one that has either ¼" instrument inputs for straight from your effects board (that has some type of preamp effect on it), TRS inputs (from a L/R 'last-in-effects-chain' output) or an XLR input (from a mic'd amp).

The reason your effects board would require some form of preamp (or boost effect that will qualify as a preamp) is so your direct signal will have enough instrument level signal into your audio interface (not enough instrument level is tricky to increase when there just ain't enough from the effects in the first place). A boost pedal will increase your chances of having enough instrument level, which can be adjusted within your audio interface.

If your audio interface accepts only XLR inputs, it's likely that you'd need a direct box (DI; Radial makes excellent ones) for converting ¼" instrument input level to XLR output line level. The XLR output from the DI box would require a short XLR cable between your DI box and XLR-input regards your XLR only audio interface.

Les, correct me if this may not be totally accurate, and thanks for providing insight on a topic which at one time was difficult for me to understand. I trust that GP will also learn from Les' experience.

 

[Guitpicky]

Les is correct.

To put signal from your effects board (or mic'd amp) into your computer, GP will need some type of audio interface. Preferably one that has either ¼" instrument inputs for straight from your effects board (that has some type of preamp effect on it), TRS inputs (from a L/R 'last-in-effects-chain' output) or an XLR input (from a mic'd amp).

The reason your effects board would require some form of preamp (or boost effect that will qualify as a preamp) is so your direct signal will have enough instrument level signal into your audio interface (not enough instrument level is tricky to increase when there just ain't enough from the effects in the first place). A boost pedal will increase your chances of having enough instrument level, which can be adjusted within your audio interface.

If your audio interface accepts only XLR inputs, it's likely that you'd need a direct box (DI; Radial makes excellent ones) for converting ¼" instrument input level to XLR output line level. The XLR output from the DI box would require a short XLR cable between your DI box and XLR-input regards your XLR only audio interface.

Les, correct me if this may not be totally accurate, and thanks for providing insight on a topic which at one time was difficult for me to understand. I trust that GP will also learn from Les' experience.

The ones I'm looking at have both 1/4" TRS and XLR. I'm looking at the 1x2 and 2x2 models because as a living room warrior I can't see ever needing more. So far the one I like is a Tascam for 90 bucks on sale. Doing a little more research so I can look at used ones for better deals.

I don't have a dedicated boost pedal, but my EQ pedal has plenty of clean boost. Don't forget it'll all be going thru the preamp and amp on my stereo, if that makes a difference.

Les is a seasoned pro looking for certain results. I'm just an experimenter on a bent looking to see what I can get away with